AbstractsComputer Science

This thesis presents an analysis of a modified Thor Missile stable platform. Stable platforms are used in the sled testing of inertial components at the Air Force Missile Development Center in New Mexico. The purpose of the study was to investigate the feasibility of improving the performance of these platforms by reducing their oscillations. Following a review and clarification of available design data, the effects of gimbal inertia changes and stabili-zation amplifier variations upon platform performance were investigated. It is concluded that a definite improvement in the platform's performance is possible within certain limitations.Several future studies are recommended including the investigation of environmental effects upon platform parameters and the extension of this present analysis with nonlinear studies and analog computer simulations.